Next-gen MDR: The Answer to Evolving Cyber Threats

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Mahendran Chandramohan
VP - MDR Solution

As we continue to operate in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world with constantly expanding digital ecosystems, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep pace and defend against the sheer volume of cyber threats. In such a fast-paced and ever-evolving threat landscape, traditional Security Operations Centers (SOCs) may no longer be sufficient to keep up with the advanced threat actors. Therefore, it is essential to consider upgrading to a next-generation Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solution.

 

Some of the advantages of a next-gen MDR solution over traditional SOC are:

 

Opex model and lower TCO

One of the primary reasons for moving to MDR is the shift from a Capex to an Opex model. Traditional SOCs typically require a significant upfront investment in hardware, software, and personnel. This can lead to financial challenges and inflexibility when scaling up or down the security infrastructure. With MDR, organizations can pay on a subscription-based model, allowing them to pay for what they use, when they use it, and reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO). In addition, next-gen MDR solution offers organizations unlimited Incident Response support with DFIR professionals already embedded on their team.

 

Ready access to skilled resources

Another challenge that many organizations face is the skill deficit in the cybersecurity industry. The shortage of skilled professionals is hurting organizations, and many SOCs are struggling to manage the workload, leading to alert fatigue. MDR providers, on the other hand, have the necessary expertise, tools, and resources to for advanced threat hunting. They employ machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to reduce false positives and prioritize threats, enabling analysts to focus on high-priority incidents. With an outsourced MDR service, organizations can get ready access to a team of cybersecurity experts with 24/7 threat monitoring and detection as well as real-time incident response service, without having to build highly complex in-house operations.

 

Advanced technology for proactive threat detection

As cyberattacks become more complex and adversaries turn to weaponize emerging technologies in their tradecraft, traditional SOCs may not always be able to keep up with the emerging threats. MDR providers leverage the latest security technologies and intelligence to stay ahead of the curve, providing proactive threat detection and response. Through the application of AI and ML, MDR providers can help improve incident prioritization, threat detection, and risk scoring while lowering the mean time to respond (MTTR). Further, a next-gen MDR solution integrated with a knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques such as the MITRE ATT&CK framework, enables enterprise security teams gain a comprehensive understanding of attackers’ tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), which can improve their cyber readiness and maturity.

 

Faster deployment

MDR solutions can also be onboarded in a few weeks, while traditional SOCs may take months or years to set up. This is because MDR providers leverage cloud-based platforms that can be easily integrated with existing security tools, such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solutions. This allows organizations to get up and running quickly, reducing downtime and improving the time to value.

 

Easy integration with SOAR platforms and security tools

Another key benefit of MDR is the integration with Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms. SOAR automates repetitive security tasks and workflows, improving operational efficiency and reducing response time. MDR providers use SOAR to orchestrate and automate threat detection and response, integrating multiple security tools, such as EDR, DLP, CSPM, and CASB, and moving towards the next-gen concept of Managed XDR (MXDR). This provides a holistic and proactive approach to threat management, enabling organizations to respond quickly and effectively to emerging threats.

 

A next-gen MDR solution forms the cornerstone of an effective enterprise-wide cybersecurity program and calls for the right fusion of people, processes, and technologies. It helps reduce the complexity of implementation, deployment, and maintenance with components increasingly deployed on the cloud. MDR manages threats across the network, endpoint, cloud, servers, and applications and can be tailored to a specific customer’s environment which is critical for organizations looking to eliminate any blind spots and avert cyberattacks.

next-gen-mdr-the-answer-to-evolving-cyber-threats

Next-gen MDR: The answer to evolving cyber threats

Introduction

In an increasingly data-driven world, organizations must harness the power of their data while maintaining robust information security. Data discovery, a crucial aspect of data management, can help organizations uncover valuable insights while simultaneously ensuring data protection and compliance. This blog post will discuss why organizations should consider data discovery from an information security perspective and provide a comprehensive approach to successfully implement it.

Data Discovery as a key tool for Information Security

Data discovery is a critical component of an organization’s information security strategy. It involves the identification and classification of all data within an organization’s infrastructure, including sensitive data, and is essential for developing effective security controls. Without data discovery, an organization may not be aware of all the data it possesses, where it is located, or who has access to it, leaving them vulnerable to data breaches and other cyber threats. Data discovery enables an organization to gain greater visibility into its data, implement appropriate security measures, comply with data privacy regulations and maintain the trust of their customers. From an information security standpoint, there are several reasons why organizations should consider data discovery:

1. Identify sensitive data:

Data discovery allows organizations to locate and classify sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information (PII), intellectual property, or financial data. Understanding where sensitive data resides is essential for implementing appropriate security measures and complying with data protection regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

2. Enhance access control:

By understanding the nature and location of critical data, organizations can establish role-based access controls and implement the principle of least privilege. Data discovery helps ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

3. Monitor and audit data usage:

Data discovery tools can help organizations monitor and audit data usage, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies. By tracking data access and usage patterns, organizations can identify anomalies, such as unauthorized access or data exfiltration, and take prompt action to prevent potential breaches.

4. Improve data governance

Implementing data discovery allows organizations to establish a strong data governance framework. This framework includes policies, procedures, and controls to manage data usage, ensure data quality, and maintain data security throughout its lifecycle. Besides, data discovery can help organizations streamline their data management processes by eliminating unnecessary data and reducing the risk of data duplication or inconsistency.


Data Discovery for a strategic approach to Information Security

1. Develop a clear data discovery strategy:

Before embarking on data discovery, organizations should develop a clear strategy that outlines the goals, scope, and objectives of the initiative. This strategy should prioritize data security and compliance, ensuring that data discovery efforts align with the organization’s overall information security program.

2. Choose the right tools:

Select data discovery tools that cater to your organization’s specific needs and are capable of addressing information security concerns. Look for tools with features such as data classification, data lineage, and access control capabilities to enhance your data security posture.

3. Create a cross-functional team:

Establish a cross-functional team with members from data management, information security, and relevant business units. This collaborative approach ensures that data discovery efforts take into account diverse perspectives and maintain a strong focus on information security.

4. Implement data classification and labeling:

Use data discovery tools to classify and label sensitive data according to predefined categories and risk levels. This information can then be used to implement appropriate security controls and data handling procedures.

5. Monitor and audit regularly:

Continuously monitor and audit data access, usage, and security controls to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies. Regularly review and update your data discovery strategy to address evolving security threats and business needs.

Conclusion

Data discovery offers a wealth of benefits, from uncovering hidden insights to driving innovation. However, organizations must also prioritize information security in their data discovery efforts. By developing a clear strategy, choosing the right tools, and fostering collaboration, organizations can unlock the full potential of their data while maintaining a robust information security posture. Results from the data discovery process should help organizations address their information vulnerabilities with thorough details, customized reports, data categorization, and risk assessments that can be used to design improvements and remediation action plans.

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